Hydraulic components are unique in that it is often possible to offset or balance hydrostatic forces to reduce loads on lubricated surfaces.

By reducing surface loading, the maintenance of full-film (hydrodynamic) lubrication is improved and therefore boundary lubrication conditions are less likely to occur.

Hydrostatic force is the product of pressure and area. Expressed mathematically: F = P x a. … Read more

Load-sensing is a term used to describe a type of variable pump control used in open circuits. It is so called because the load-induced pressure downstream of an orifice is sensed and pump flow is adjusted to maintain a constant pressure drop (and therefore flow) across the orifice. The ‘orifice’ is usually a directional control valve with proportional flow characteristics, … Read more

One of our members wrote to me recently regarding the following problem:

“Recently, we bought a used hydraulic power unit (15HP electric motor directly coupled to a vane pump). A high-pitched, clicking noise is generated when the unit runs. We have checked the following:

–We thought it was a motor bearing, so we detached pump from motor, no noise heard.… Read more